Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1887-08-25


youth and high spirits. never dream.
ing of such a possibility MS danger
there and then.
Down the road she was coming
and the frosty snow that cracked
under her light feet was not more
innocent or fearless.
a man in the road!
1t might bc Jake, her fathers saw
mill hand, or IL might be one of the
farm boys, or it might be neither.
Why should she carer
And yet, as that mar drew near
or, Ailly walked more slowly, and
her heart began to beat, she could
not have told why.
She could see him more distinct.
ly now, and never had her eyes fal.
len on anything like that before.
81 almost wish i had the dogs
with me, she said TO herself, with
a shuddcr What n horrible look
ing man! / thought the tramps
Were all gone"
More and more slowly walked
Milly, for, as the hidcous human
form drew nearer, pair of blazing
hungry, Wild beast eyes gloated
iiercely ard triumphantly upon her
through the matted locks, which
hung from under the battered felt
on his head.
"a dartcr of his, / reckon, !"
growled the tramp. "It's all the
the same, anyhow; some rich mans
gall
A wild scream burst from Milly's
whitening lips, and she tried TO
spring past him; but his long arm
caught her as she went by, and in
an instant her shawl was wound
around her head.
"No more screcchin," growled
the hoarse, deep vo ce, Though
there's nobody nigh enough to hear
you"
Nobody
Then why is it that the lash had
fallen so suddenly on the good horse
Gilbert Morse was driving, just be-
yond the turn in the roadi
A scream from vigorous lungs
goes far in frosty weather, and the
whip fell more than once.
Mllly struggled hard, even in that
grasp Of iron, but her strength was
falling fast, when wild, angry
shout rang down the road, and the
tramp loosed his hold for a moment.
"Don't mcddlc, youngstcr,r he
began, as a fiercely plunging steed
was pulled up in furry of snow at
the roadside.
The answer came from the loaded
end of a whip, square between his
eyes.
a thinner skull might have been
cracked by il, and, even on his braz
en- forehead, the blow brought him
TO his knees.
Miliy Van Vlceck was free, and
she almost intinctiyely bounded into
the cutter.
There was no room TO turn, and
Gilbert Morse gave his trotter tho
reins, for he saw the tramp was
feeling among his rags Tor some.
thing which might have danger in
it. lie longed to stay and finish his
work with his loaded whip, bu,
there was Milly.
ooh, Gil" She exclaimed, chow
shall ] get homer"
THE saw-miil road" Inc replied
''the track has probably not been
broken, but the snow isn't deep"
Yes, but it has," said MiIly
"Tbey were hauling logs yesterday
Safe enough, then" said Gil
"But amt | thankful j came along
just then"
add father tell you ! was out thi.
wsyi knew you would come 20 sec
me, first thing. And how you have
improved.
Milly's excitement was taking a
form that could not be unplcasanl
to her companion; but a deep
cloud was settling on his face, not.
withstanding, and she checked her.
self suddenly 20 ask him.
"But what can be the mattcfy lie
did not hurt you, did hey'
"No, but your father has, Milly.
cannot stop at your house. Your
father has forbidden me. Some.
thing between him and mine about
the election. When we get to the
gate, you get out and go in. Per.
hsps he'll get over it soon, and
don't want to make him any worse
just now"
A wise young man was Gilbert
Morse, IN spite Of Milly's all but
fearful protestatiOns, for the sight
Of his daughter returning home ir
such company aroused old Squire
Van Vleeck 10 the uttermost.
IL was even an aggravation thai
Gil 50 deftly pulled up Just long
enough for Milly to jump out, and
then raised his bat so politely "a
her father as he drove away.
So choked with wrath, indeed
was the bitter old man thathe coulC
not find words 10 express himself
AID, before be had recovered hi,
utterance, Miliy was rapidly recount
ing 10 her mother her awful peri
from the tramp, and the gallant man
ncr ia which She had been rescued
I by Gilbert Morse.
The Squire could not help listen
ing. although II seemed a good dca